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1 Samuel 13

Good Morning “Those Who Do NOT Lean On Your Own Understanding.”  Today we are in 1 Samuel 13.

Our God is not a God that expects us to struggle through life on our own.  His Word is replete we urgings NOT to act on our own human wisdom.  

Israel had The Law, and they had the Word of The Prophet’s and Judges.  Such was Gods method of revealing His will and instructing the nation prior to The Cross and the indwelling of The Holy Spirit.  The Sacrificial system ordained by God, was a means for Israel to put their faith into action.  The process was then often accompanied by Gods revelation through His prophets.  The two went hand in hand.  Further revelation came as Faith was demonstrated.  

In this chapter Saul gets anxious.  Samuel, led of The Lord has instructed Saul to wait 7 days before doing anything rash.  On the 7th day… no Samuel.  He’s waited long enough… bring me the offerings and I’ll make them he says!  Wait..: is Saul even a priest?   I forget, who is it that is charged with presenting the offerings of the people to The Lord?  Saul is a King, neither Prophet nor Priest.  In His mind he has lost the connection between the Holy act of offering sacrifices and revelation from The Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 warns us NOT to lean on our own understanding but to trust, obey and acknowledge Him in all things!  Now that Jesus has gone to The Cross, and The Helper, The Holy Spirit dwells in us… and we have the COMPLETE Word of God - the mechanism for Gods Revelation is different but the principle is still the same.  Romans 12:1-2 does a masterful job of illustrating this principle.  

”Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.“
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ NIV

We ourselves are now the sacrifice.  We are to be Holy set apart from this world - we are not to conform to it.  The only thing capable of transforming, renewing our minds is The Word of God taught by the Spirit of God, then He reveals His will.  It all works together.  You cannot break down the process and expect to know His will!  Holy living sacrifice + Holy Spirit + Word of God = Revelation of Gods Will.  His Word is alive (Hebrews 4:12)!

Love you all!  Dig in!